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We have assessed the feasibility and value of measuring nonspecific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in investigation of asthma in the elderly. Results from duplicated tests in 20 subjects aged 65-82 years were expressed as dose provoking a 20% decrement in 1 second forced expiratory volume (PD20.FEV1) or peak expiratory flow (PD20.PEF). Repeatability for PD20.FEV1 was satisfactory but less good than in younger subjects, 95% confidence limits being 0.39-2.57 and 0.52-1.91, respectively, x initial PD20. For PD20.PEF, confidence limits were wider (0.26-3.91 x initial PD20) but multiple PEF measurements were better tolerated than those of FEV1, which commonly caused fatigue and dizziness. PD20.FEV1 and PD20.PEF correlated closely (r = 0.95, P less than 0.0001) and both predicted bronchodilatation following a 6-week course of inhaled corticosteroid and beta agonist. This was not predicted by the response to a single dose of beta agonist. We conclude that measurement of bronchial responsiveness is feasible and clinically valuable in elderly subjects.
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D J Hendrick
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